California Wildfires Threaten Homes and Businesses

California has experienced more than 5,000 fires this year to date. Although the state budget has a $23 billion deficit, a $500 million reserve has been established for emergencies such as fires.  A wildfire north of Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Wilderness Area of the Angeles National Forest burned over 140,000 acres and cost $21 million in firefighting services. Thousands of homeowners have been displaced. The regret most often expressed is the failure to preserve treasured family photographs, as those memories cannot be replaced. I have all of my photographs scanned in and stored online for safekeeping. The cost is negligible and the benefit incalculable.